Fake News Creating Fear Over SSLC Exams, Warns Education Minister; No Need for Anxiety Over Exams

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Monday strongly dismissed what he termed as “baseless and deliberate attempts” to create anxiety among students and parents regarding the upcoming SSLC examinations. In a message addressed to students and guardians on Facebook, the minister said misinformation was being spread claiming that this year’s SSLC question papers would be unusually difficult due to the introduction of new textbooks.

Clarifying the issue, Sivankutty said the examinations are fully based on the revised textbooks, but the suggestion that the questions would be tougher is entirely false. He pointed out that the new question paper patterns were published well in advance on the SCERT website at the beginning of the academic year. These patterns were also introduced to students through the Onam and Christmas examinations, ensuring adequate familiarity, he said.

To further boost students’ confidence, the minister said special programs explaining the new question paper formats are being aired through the KITE Victers channel. He added that discussions are ongoing on syllabus rationalisation and reducing the burden of school bags, but dismissed rumours that the Class 10 syllabus would be abruptly cut. Any such decision would be taken only after carefully examining feedback from the field and keeping students’ interests in mind, he said.

Sivankutty also assured that the government has guaranteed Plus One admission facilities for all students who qualify for higher studies through the SSLC examination, urging students not to be anxious about their future.

Emphasising the integrity of the examination process, the minister said all stages, including question paper preparation and conduct of exams, are carried out with the highest level of confidentiality. Even the printing of question papers is done outside the state, he noted. Despite this, he stated that certain vested interests and “mafias” are attempting to question the credibility of the examination system and exploit students’ fears for profit.

The minister said both the police and the education department have launched serious investigations into the spread of fake and misleading propaganda, particularly on social media. Calling on those behind such campaigns to stop immediately, Sivankutty assured that the General Education Department would never take decisions detrimental to students.

He urged students to place full trust in the government and approach the SSLC examinations with confidence, reiterating that their interests remain the top priority of the state’s public education system.